Rice to stay in Division 1A

ERIK SWANSON

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 27, 2004

Sports Writer

The collective sigh of relief heard emanating from the Museum District last week came from Rice University students, athletes, alumni and fans in the wake of a press conference within the schools ivy-covered walls.

The school that thrilled Houstonians with its run to the College World Series and a subsequent National Championship last summer will have the chance to continue competing against the best college athletics programs in the country. ##M:(full story)##

Reacting to strong support from the community, the Rice University Board of Trustees announced Friday a unanimous decision to allow Rice athletics to continue competing on the Division 1-A level.

The boards decision comes as good news to the Rice athletics community, in which several teams have excelled at the Division 1-A level, especially this year. After winning the National Championship last year, the Rice baseball team is in the midst of another impressive season.

Ranked second nationally in the ESPN/Sports Weekly Poll, the team is dominating the Western Athletic Conference. The mens tennis team ranks 14th in the nation and has advanced to the final 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The mens and womens track and field teams swept the WAC championships, bringing home both outdoor league titles.

The study of Rice athletics was undertaken as part of the boards periodic review of various facets of the university.

Commissioned by the trustees, the management-consulting firm McKinsey & Co. examined thoroughly every aspect of the schools athletics program and made recommendations regarding future options. Upon the completion of McKinsey & Co.s 104-page report, the trustees published the study and invited the Rice communitys feedback on four specific topics covered in the report: the appropriate level of competition for Rice athletics; the interest in a student-faculty recreation and convocation center; the varying admissions policies for athletes and other students and the large financial deficit for athletics and what measures could be taken to reduce the deficit.

The verdict on Rices participation in Division 1-A athletics was the most potentially explosive of the topics addressed by the board. The options listed in the McKinsey & Co. report ranged from remaining in Division I-A to dropping to Division III, which prohibits all scholarships. In deciding to remain at the Division 1-A level, the board extolled the virtues of athletics at Rice.

(Athletics) has had a tendency to bring the Rice community together, says Board Chairman Bill Barnett. We thought for Rice, under the current circumstances, (staying in Division 1-A) was the thing to do.

The board also discussed the other issues raised by McKinsey & Co. Regarding a student-faculty recreation and convocation center, the board believes that high priority should be given to the construction of such a facility which would likely include a new basketball and volleyball arena within the next 10 years.

Barnett calls this type of building a clear need in recruiting good students.

Students today work out; fitness is a pretty big deal, Barnett says. Similarly, if we have a Nelson Mandela or a Gorbachev here on campus, we have really no place to have those convocations.

The board also hopes to move toward an integrated admissions process that reflects the best practices at other highly selective institutions, Barnett says.

In explaining the desire for a more flexible process for all students, Barnett compared the cases of various hypothetical applicants, including a science student, a music student and a shortstop. Each of these hypothetical applicants has average standardized test scores, but excels in one specific area, while exhibiting qualities of a future leader. Each of these applicants should receive an equal opportunity for admission, according to Barnett.

Lastly, the board expressed a desire to reduce the $10 million athletics deficit. Barnett says that evaluating the role of athletics at Rice has sparked a desire among supporters of the athletic department to increase their donations.

Additionally, the board believes efforts can be made to increase merchandising and ticket sales, especially with Rices upcoming move to Conference USA beginning with the 2005-06 season.